ISLAMABAD:
On Friday, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar claimed that the transitional government was working without bias or favour to bring relief to the people by taking on a number of massive projects, such as a persistent crackdown on smuggling and the repatriation of unlawful refugees.
Kakar promised a shift in governing style for the betterment of the country as he addressed the media after chairing a high-level conference in the federal capital.
Kakar presided over the meeting where the decisions made a week ago on smuggling, electricity theft, and stockpiling were addressed, along with their ongoing monitoring, implementation, and future strategy.
He stated that the caretaker government’s top objective was to implement administrative measures to help the people who had been impacted hard by inflation.
No matter how long the caretaker government is in power—a month or a month and a half—”we want to assure the people that the caretaker government will prove effective in its governance,” he said. “We’re concentrating on fixing the underlying governance problems. We must therefore make no mistakes in our conduct.
The Prime Minister stated, “I am not an absolute ruler,” on a more personal level.
“I am not a Mughal ruler who would have ten officials and politicians lined up and shot. “I only know the law, and there are no big fish here,” he continued.
After the reopening of the Torkham border with Afghanistan, the prime minister was asked what measures had been taken to prevent illegal trade across the border. He responded by saying that an effective management plan was being put into place.
He foretold that efforts to curb contraband commerce would be ongoing.
Smugglers will be met with “zero tolerance,” and “the law will take its course,” he declared. “Those who have put money into this illegal activity will soon see their investments go down the drain.”
He dispelled fears that residents living in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan’s border regions would be harmed if smuggling was reduced, arguing that they deserved “a correct and healthy environment of trade” instead.
When asked if Afghan refugees were involved in illegal border crossings, Kakar stated a workable policy had been settled upon.
We have implemented a policy to curb Afghan refugee smuggling, and its results will become apparent very soon.
According to the prime minister, foreigners have no right to dwell in Pakistan and will be deported if they are found to be there.
“We will push the [Afghan] aliens back to their country and no one without visa will be allowed to live here,” he declared.
Kakar classified the Afghans living in Pakistan into three groups: legal residents, illegal immigrants, and victims of identity theft.
He wished he hadn’t been so lenient in the past, because it had led to many problems in society.
Soaring Costs
The Prime Minister has advocated for severing ties between corrupt politicians and public servants.
“We will take action on adopting a due process without fear or favour, and will take them [culprits] to the court of law,” he stated.
He claimed that “I think the people understand that there is no malice or negligence on our part” because of the high cost of numerous goods because of fluctuations in the international market.
He also said the country’s market control committees were back up and running.
He explained that the current administration could do nothing to prevent the global surge that has caused oil prices to rise three times during its term.
He mentioned the power rate, saying that a decision on allowing consumers up to 200 units to pay in installments would be made soon.
Elections
To a question about when elections will be held, the prime minister responded that it was up to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Saying, “If I announce the date of election, it will be illegal,” he went on to explain why. Don’t tempt me to do something I know is wrong.
Former officials Fawad Hasan Fawad and Ahad Cheema, who are thought to be loyal to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), were appointed to the interim cabinet, and the prime minister brushed off the criticism that ensued.
His impression of them as “capable individuals with integrity” who had previously served the public sector was expressed by saying “they both have a strong reputation for doing their jobs with honesty and dedication.”
Moreover, “I don’t think they have ever been the members or office-holders of any political party,” he said.
Kakar responded to a second inquiry on the repeal of the National Accountability Ordinance amendments by saying that the decision had just come and that he will consult the law ministry.
“[Then] we’ll make a call based on that information and communicate our decision to you,” they said.
The prime minister reiterated that the government supports press freedom and is opposed to any attempts to limit it.
“A normal media ecosystem is in place, and there is no bar on the outlets, even airing criticism of the caretaker government,” he said.
